Is Corona Virus over???

Gowri's Abstract Painting : Somewhat looks like Corona right ? 😀

Kiddo:  Amma, has Corona virus left?

Me: No dear. It's still out there.

Kiddo: Then why everyone is playing out in the park!!!

 

What should I answer her? How can I tell her that it is the fear of the people for the virus which has gone, not the virus? The number of positive cases is exponentially increasing, and the death counts are also increasing. And sadly, the vaccine which we all are dreaming for, it is moving far away.

I see people gathering everywhere. There are kids in the park playing in groups, no mask, no social distancing, and even their parents.

 " How can I celebrate my kid’s birthday without throwing a party."    

            

  " Oh, I should attend my 2nd cousin's friend's marriage. What will they think if I don't go? " 

"We can't pause life, isn't it? We should learn to leave with it. This is the new normal!!!"

Yes, I agree. We can't pause life. But that doesn't mean we should totally ignore about the pandemic out there. Now all I hear is it's just like a normal fever. Will go in 10 days even if you get it. Yes, true for some, not for all.  You might be that super immune healthy human being. You might not have to worry, right? But just for a moment, can you think about the other normal fellows who might get affected because of you. 

How will you feel if your pregnant friend who avoided all the social gatherings for her baby, got affected because of you. Will you be able to console your neighbor’s kid who just lost her father because of Corona and he got it from you. How can we forgive ourselves if we are the reason that a person is no longer on Earth anymore? How can we fill the void in the life of their kids, spouse, parents, siblings and friends? 

Yes, you might not be at a risk of it, but what if you are a silent carrier. What if you are asymptomatic and unknowingly transferring the virus to each and every one you are interacting to.  You don't have to follow the norms for you, if you are super confident that it won't affect you. But as a social being you need to follow the norms for others.

Last Saturday one person in our community died because of this disease. And when we tell this, first question people ask is " Was he very old? " 

Nope, he was not. He was in his early 40's. 

"Did he have any severe medical conditions?"

Nothing which he was aware off!!!

Alarming, isn't it? So, you don't necessarily have to be old or asthmatic or diabetic or have a serious heart condition to reach a very dangerous stage of this illness.

According to latest CDC-INFO "People with any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 "

And isn't it even possible that we ourselves are not even aware whether we have any medical condition which is not detected yet.

I didn't mean to ask you to stop all the activities. But make sure you keep a safe distance when you talk, make sure you wear a mask. And please wash your hands with soap and water or use at least a sanitizer when you come from outside, before touching anything. Is it really that hard to follow?

And for your kid’s birthday, try to spend the day with the kid, for the kid. Just forget about the party, you don't have to worry about the return gifts. May be this year instead of worrying about the guests, food and party stuff, you can dedicate the day for your kid. And see what difference it makes. It might be the most wonderful birthday your kid every had. 

And lucky are the ones who are able to get food on their table without going out for work. And if you are in that group, please feel grateful for that, you have the option to be inside, to be safe, again don't find reasons to go out.

Hope this all will end one day. It sure did teach us many things. How a small virus changed all our lives upside down one fine morning. But this too shall pass.

Your kids will play in the playground without fear. You can go to your favorite restaurant and have what all you want to have. You can visit your much memorable vacation spot once again. You can be with your loved ones and have a wonderful time. But all these have to wait. And let us take a pledge that we will do our best to break the chain, so that everyone will be there to enjoy all these once these pandemic days are over....

 

                                                                                                         The Confused Mama